Tuesday, August 11, 2015

A Summer Haiku


This pattern has been in my queue for about a year, and this summer I finally got around to making it. It was one of the most enjoyable patterns I've followed in quite some time. Not to mention, the end result is absolutely beautiful. It's so elegant, yet practical and humble. I'm also a bit obsessed with the color, HELLO beautiful blue/gray! This pattern is from Quince and Co., and the yarn is Tern, a fingering wool/silk blend. You can see where I Ravelried this project here. I've also been eyeing Tolt's Horn Shawl Pins, but I can't decide which one to get. Maybe all!? I think one would go lovely with this. Hope everyone is taking in the sticky summer heat while it lasts, because fall and lots of fiber workings are on their way!

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Heron Shawl - Crochet Pattern


We are all moved into our new house! And even though the chaos of moving and getting acquainted  with a new place has only just begun to slow down (sort of), I had to make some time for crocheting. I've been enjoying cotton yarns a lot lately, since it's so much cooler than wool and our summer heat arrives in mid spring and lingers well into the fall. This shawl was made with a cotton wool blend, and it is so comfy! This pattern is a really relaxing project for an experienced crocheter and great for beginners using only the single crochet stitch, but the texture is so rich! I hope you enjoy, maybe on your porch while you drink coffee during a breezy morning or maybe while you're curled up with a good book in your cool air conditioned home;) 


Yarn: Austermann-Whisper (5 skeins in Light Grey)
Notions: 5mm crochet hook, tapestry needle, scissors
Abbreviations: chain (ch), single crochet (sc)

Row 1: ch 3, sc in second ch from hook and in next sc.
Row 2: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in next 2 sc (4).
Row 3: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in last sc (6). 
Row 4: ch 1, turn, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next 2 sc, repeat *sk 1, 2 sc in next sc* until last sc, sc in last sc. 

Repeat row 4 35 more times, increasing by two stitches in every row. 

At the end of the last row, sc in the side of the last row and in every side of each sc row until you reach the tip of the shawl. sc 3 sc into the tip and sc into every side of each sc until you reach the opposite side from where you started. 

Turn, ch 1, sc in each sc from previous round, but sc 3 sc in the second sc from the previous round's 3 sc at the tip. Repeat this 15 more times (this gives the ribbed edging around the shawl).

At the end of the last ribbed row, sc into the side of the last ribbed row and in every side and sc across the top of the shawl.

Turn, ch 1, sc in each sc across.  

Turn, ch 1, sc in each sc across once more. Fasten off, weave in ends, and block for a clean shape. 

P.S.
Thank you to my sweet husband for snapping these pictures ^_^

Monday, April 20, 2015

A Walk in City Park

Sometimes it's easy to overlook the beauty of familiar things. We grow accustomed to our surroundings forgetting to take it all in. I have never hidden the fact that I am completely biased to my home state. The more I live in it and get to know it, the more I love my southern Louisiana community. Sometimes though, I find myself taking it for granted. So many experiences I miss going on right in front of my eyes. This past weekend, Trent and I took the dogs for a simple walk in City Park, but it was just what I needed to slow down and smell the magnolias. Not to mention, Norris and Cooper had so much fun. Norris waded into the water for a nice cool dip, while Cooper barked at it frighteningly. Oh man, those two keep me entertained. We also came across a handsome Tricolored Heron who was kind enough to allow me to snap a few pictures. Here's to keeping the overlooking to a minimum and taking in as much as possible.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Ideas for Sprucing

Right now is a crazy wonderful time for my little family. Trent and I are in the process of buying our first house. It's been a whirlwind, and for anyone who has never gone through this endeavor, it is not at all like what you see on HGTV. Besides the tiny bit of scariness associated with making very possibly the biggest purchase in one's life, we are sooooo excited to begin this new quest of home-ownership. Quite obviously, I have been daydreaming about decorating ideas to spruce up the new place. 

I love the big mirror on the buffet. I think it would look lovely in the dining room with some plants and crystal candlesticks. I love the mid-century marble topped buffets a whole lot, and I hope to snag one eventually. (Image via)
This wood burning stove! I saw this picture on Design Sponge way before we fell in love with our house, and thought maybe one day (as in probably never). Well as it so happens, our house once held a wood burning stove. Now, that "maybe one day" is really a good possible maybe, and not a probably never maybe. Could you imagine warming your toes by this beauty in the winter!?!? (Image via)
A nice pretty set of hooks by the entryway is a need in my opinion. Your daily used hats, bags, scarves, sweaters, and dog leashes need a special place of their own. (Image via)
I like my bedroom to be light and airy, almost dreamlike. I like a space that is simple and relaxing. We have a door that leads to the back porch at our house and I have a feeling it will be wide open on nice breezy days, just like this picture. And that linen throw is exquisite! (Image via)
The kitchen in our new space is really the only room that hasn't been redone in quite sometime. Eventually I would like to give it a good remodel, and I have SO many ideas for it. Main concepts I love are light cabinets, open shelving, and big tub sinks. I also really like the idea of a pretty rug in the kitchen. You don't see too many big rugs in kitchens, but I think it gives a cozy homey feel. (Image via)
Ah, the dining space. We have never had an actual dining space before, and I am thrilled to acquire this special room. This picture really inspires me. I'm not too sure about exactly how I want to decorate our dining area, but I do know I want it to feel inviting. Somewhere friends and family can feel welcome and sit and share the best memories eating and laughing and talking for hours!  (Image via)

With all of this wishful thinking and dreaming shared, I'm not in any hurry to get everything looking just so. I am content. I am beyond content. I am truly blessed, and so thankful for this opportunity. I want to take my time, and gather things for our home that we love and that have meaning to us. Unlike our rent spaces, this is a place we hope to stay for a long long while, and I can't wait to make it ours!







Monday, March 30, 2015

Chunky Bum Flap Baby Pants

Can't get enough of these too sweet for words baby bum flap pants! The merino aran yarn from Camellia Fiber Co. used for the previous version of this pattern is no longer available, so Rebekka was kind enough to send over some of her new yarn for an updated pattern. The Alpaca Wool Handspun yarn from Camellia Fiber Co. was used for this version in the color natural, but it also comes in a variety of other colors including chocolate, charcoal and a beautiful charcoal and white marl (all would be delightful)! The alpaca and merino blend of this yarn give an earthy and fluffy texture, like working with a cloud. If you can see the detailing in the pictures, it gives a nice halo affect, as well. Both the alpaca and merino fibers that make up this yarn were grown and milled in the U.S. and I have to say, the quality is superb. I used a bit larger wooden buttons on these pants to balance with the chunkier fiber, and am so pleased with how the piece came together. I will be making many pairs of these pants for every tiny baby bum I know!


Materials
1 skein of Camellia Fiber Co.'s Alpaca Wool Handspun 
6mm crochet hook
tapestry needle
brown thread and needle
scissors 

Ribbing
Row 1: ch 4. hdc in the second chain from the hook and in each ch across.
Row 2-32: turn and ch 1. hdc in each hdc across back loops only (this creates the ribbing effect).
After the last row is complete for the ribbing, fold the ribbing in half and align the first row of hdc to the last row of hdc. ss these rows together (still only using the back loops) to create the waistband of the pants. Once joined, the piece should measure approximately 6 1/2 inches across. 

Rise
Row 1: With your yarn still attached to the waistband you just created, ch 1. hdc into the side of the first hdc row and in each around. You should have a total of 32 hdc. ss into the first hdc you made on this row.
Row 2: ch 1. hdc around (including the hdc you ss into to join). ss into first hdc of the round.
Row 3: hdc in first 22 hdc of previous round leaving 10 hdc stitches open for the bum flap. turn and ch 1.
Row 4-6: hdc in each hdc from previous round (22 hdc). turn and ch 1. (this is creating the opening for the bum flap.)
Row 7: hdc in each hdc from previous round and do not turn. ch 10. ss into first hdc of current round (this will close the bum flap).
Row 8: ch 1. hdc in each hdc and ch of the previous round. You should have 32 hdc total at the end of this round. The measurement of the rise (from the top of the waistband to the where the legs start) should be 5 inches.

First Leg
Row 1: With your yarn still attached to the rise, ch 1 and hdc in first 8 hdc of the previous round. Join the back of your first leg to the front of the rise by aligning the stitches on the front of the rise with the stitches on the back of the rise. hdc into the 8th hdc from the first hdc on the front side of the pants. hdc in the remaining 8 hdc of the previous round and ss into the top of the first hdc of the round to create the first leg of the pants.
Row 2-7: ch 1. hdc into each hdc around. ss into the top of the first hdc. (You should have 16 hdc for each leg. Remember to hdc into the hdc you join into on each round, this helps disguise where you join at.)
Row 8: ch 1. sc into each hdc around. ss into the top of the first sc.
Row 9: ch 1. sc into each sc around. ss into the top of the first sc. fasten off.

Second Leg
Row 1: Line up the front and back sides of the rise for your second leg, and join your yarn by joining the first hdc stitches on the front and back nearest the first leg with a ss. ch 1 and hdc around including the hdc stitches you joined your yarn to.
Row 2-7: ch 1. hdc into each hdc around. ss into the top of the first hdc.
Row 8: ch 1. sc into each hdc around. ss into the top of the first sc.
Row 9: ch 1. sc into each sc around. ss into the top of the first sc. fasten off. The legs should measure 4 1/2 inches long.  

Bum Flap:
Row 1: ch 13. hdc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across.
Row 2-6: turn and ch 1. hdc in each hdc across.
Row 7: turn and ch 2. hdc in second hdc from previous round (skipping the first hdc of the previous round creates your first buttonhole) and in next 8 hdc. ch 1. skip 1 hdc  hdc in last hdc from previous round (this will create your second buttonhole). fasten off.

Assembly:
Attach the bum flap to the pants using your tapestry needle and remaining yarn by sewing the bottom of the bum flap to the bottom of the bum flap opening. I used the back stitch to secure the bottom of the bum flap to the top of the hdc stitches at the bottom of the bum flap opening. Use your needle and brown thread to sew on your wooden buttons to the top corners of your bum flap. Weave in any ends, and button the bum flap to the pants. 

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Temperature's Risin'

Little baby duckies and little baby animals everywhere! Temperatures are risin', spring has sprung, and I couldn't be more excited. So many wonderful things happening this season, including a small online shop that I just opened. I am very happy to announce that you can now shop a few of my handmade pieces by clicking shop at the top of the site. I'm also dreaming up a few designs that I hope to share this season with you. Now I'm off to breathe in all of the fresh warm air, happy day!

Thursday, March 5, 2015

A New Adventure


The pattern section on my site has been a bit quiet lately, all for a very good reason that I am very excited about. This spring I will be opening a small online shop filled with all kinds of fiberwares and a few calligraphy pieces. I have been hard at work preparing to send my handmade treasures into the world. Sharing my handmade pieces with others has always been in the back of my mind, but I've never had the valiance to try. Sharing patterns on this site has really helped with that, and I couldn't be more thankful for the kind words you all have shared with me. I've also had so much encouragement from my family and friends to just give this a go. Mind you, this little shop will be limited in inventory, since I work a regular job and it takes lots of time, as most of you know, to hand make products. But that's what makes them so special, and I love this slow careful process and I hope others will, too. There will be lots of linen and cotton pieces available since where I live, we are diving into spring! I can't wait to share everything. On another fiber note, these are a few knit pieces from some lovely designers that I have been dreaming of making for myself!

This dovetail wrap looks so soft and cozy. I would love it in Heirloom White, I think.  I imagine myself wearing it to the camp or a mountainy vacation I have been dreaming of.

I've never worked with Jones and Vandermeer yarn, and the Dafne tank by Julie Hoover seems to be the perfect excuse. I can see this being my go to summer top.

Another beautiful design by Julie Hoover that keeps making its way into my brain is the Hayward sweater. It looks so effortless but classy at the same time.

Although the patterns above are all knitting patterns, I am still crocheting up a storm with my own designs and products for the shop. I'm thinking of treating myself to this crochet hook set for my birthday next month^_^ It's been on my wishlist for sometime, and I know I will get TONS of use out of them. I hope everyone is enjoying this last leg of winter and are having lots of daydreams about new spring adventures!


Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Serene




Today is gloomy and drizzly and beautiful and cold and refreshing. Today is serene. It is also the end of the first week of the Lenten Season. The way the physical seasons accompany the season of Lent is so perfect to me. The still and quiet of late winter provide a nice calmative surrounding for reflection and repentance. Soon enough, the Easter holiday and spring with its embracive warmth will arrive as a reminder of unfailing love and forgiveness. Hopes of simpler more content days and a big snuggly hug to you all^_^

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Practicing Stockinette


After knitting up this simple little garter stitch scarf as my first knit project and then another in green for Trent, I debated for while what to make next. I'm still crocheting like there is no tomorrow. But then I'm also pretty much in love with knitting now as well, and sometimes I just get overwhelmed by all the things there are to make! A good sort of overwhelmed, that is. I finally decided on this hat. The pattern is from Erika Knight's book Simple Knitting which I bought as a companion to her Simple Crocheting book that I received for Christmas from my mother-in-law and absolutely adore. Simple Knitting is just as wonderful and resourceful as its sibling. This particular pattern is the plain pull on hat that is not knit in the round, but worked from the brim on up decreasing along the way with a mattress stitch to seam it together. The whole hat is worked in stockinette, so I was able to get a whole lot of practice on a basic stitch pattern. I used Quince and Co.'s Lark in Chantrelle for my hat, and it is so cozy!  The perfect project to make this last bit of winter  warm and sweet :)  




Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Local Tourists



A bit of New Orleans architecture for you today. On pretty weekend days when Trent and I have nothing planned (extremely rare), we like to head into the city and wander. We walk around Jackson Square browsing art, eat lunch at our favorite restaurants picking up a sweet after be it a praline or homemade ice cream, and maybe a little antiquing sneaks in if Trent is in a good mood :) This particular day we happened to catch the city on one of its quieter days. It was nice to be a tourist before all the hustle and bustle of Carnival arrives.  




Tuesday, January 20, 2015

All The Citrus



In the past year or two, Trent and I have made an effort to eat locally grown produce, and with that commitment we have been seasonal eating. We have recently become acquainted with the sweetest little Farmer's Market near our home that we visit on the weekends to get our produce, dairy, and coffee for the week. Shopping the seasons has allowed me to obsess over what each one has to offer, and oh how I look forward to my favorites. If you haven't guessed already, winter has me on a citrus craze, and I can't get enough! Our weekly citrus haul consists of blood oranges, navel oranges, satsumas, tangerines, grapefruits, lemons, and kumquats, and man oh man they are good! I've been dreaming of making a citrusy bundt cake or little madeleines, however I can't seem to set any aside for baking before consuming them all. I'm so grateful for the local farmers and the market that we have available to us so close to home. And eating seasonal produce has made me appreciate each season so much more.